Running notebook: Fall race season nears

Updated 9:13 pm, Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Surfers may dream of an endless summer, but Houston-area runners? Not so much.

And although the area's record-breaking weather continues, the fall race season - from 5Ks to marathons - approaches. A few highlights:

After two years without sponsors, the Bellaire Fall Fever 5K Fun Run/Walk and Children's Walk has been revived, with Foundation Surgical Hospital stepping up as a title sponsor.

The 14th annual event will be at 8:05 a.m. Saturday at Bellaire High School, 5100 Maple, Bellaire.

In conjunction with the race, hosted by the Bellaire High School PTO to benefit its feeder schools' PTOs, the senior class will hold a silent auction, live auction and bake sale in the school's multipurpose room.

The Houston Marathon Committee hosts its annual Run for a Reason kickoff party from 5-7:30 p.m. Sept. 22 on Memorial Park's Picnic Lane.

The first 2,000 runners registered in the Chevron Houston Marathon or Aramco Houston Half Marathon will receive a free "in training" T-shirt. Under Armour performance shirts will be available for $20, with proceeds benefiting Marathon Kids. Used shoe donations for SEARCH Homeless Services also will be accepted.

Ten of the 53 official charities still have marathon entries available for runners who commit to fundraising goals.

The party will include food, refreshments and the Houston Texans cheerleaders.

Don't be left out

And while the marathon and half marathon may be full, runners can still be part of the action on Jan. 15, as registration for the El Paso Corporation 5K opens today.